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    Coyote Gorgeous
    Coyote Gorgeous
    Coyote Gorgeous
    Ebook104 pages1 hour

    Coyote Gorgeous

    By Vijaya Schartz

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Arizona Game Ranger Madison Huntley, investigating a wild animal attack on a ranch in Cave Creek, discovers disturbing details. As a biologist and wildlife expert, she believes in facts and science, not the scary legends frightening the ranch hand. When Kaletaka, a Hopi sculptor, awakens bloody with no recollection of the night before, he remembers the legends of his tribe...

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherVijaya Schartz
    Release dateJan 17, 2012
    ISBN9781465952219
    Coyote Gorgeous
    Author

    Vijaya Schartz

    Award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and claims she comes from the future. Her books collected many five-star reviews and literary awards. She makes you believe you lived these extraordinary adventures among her characters. So, go ahead, dare to experience the magic, and she will keep you entranced, turning the pages until the last line. Find more about Vijaya and her books at http://www.vijayaschartz.com

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    Reviews for Coyote Gorgeous

    4.5/5

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    • 4/5
      I met Vijaya Schartz at an event almost a year ago, and she recently sent me a copy of her latest e-book novella, Coyote Gorgeous, for review. The story is a hybrid of paranormal romance and romantic suspense combining the heroine's investigation of the mysterious killings of domestic animals on a local ranch with Native American skinwalker legends. I typically enjoy Native American stories, and Coyote Gorgeous was no exception. I love learning about their culture and customs, and I came away from reading this novella feeling as though that knowledge had been enriched. Even though this is a fictional story in which some creative license was taken, Ms. Schartz wove in interesting factual information about a Hopi ritual sacrifice of golden eaglets (I felt pretty much the same way about it as Madison did: barbaric but culturally fascinating) and the skinwalker legends which are very similar to the were-creature legends of other cultures. I found myself intrigued enough by the unusual subject matter to do a little research of my own online. The descriptions of the Southwestern setting were very well done, making them clearly visible in my mind's eye, although I readily admit that it may be easier for me than the average reader since I live in the area that was being depicted. The suspense element was also well written. I got nearly all the way through the story thinking I knew who the “bad guy” was, only to get a surprise twist at the end. I also don't think I've ever read suspense paired with the supernatural in quite the way that it was here, so that was something unique and different for me as a reader too.I really liked both the hero and heroine. I'm not sure Kaletaka could have been more scrumptious if he tried. He's a sexy Hopi Indian with long dark hair who rides a motorcycle, is an incredibly talented sculptor, and knows his way around a kitchen to boot. All I have to say is, “Yummmm!” Madison was a great match for Kaletaka. She's a spunky lady who is a law enforcement officer of a different sort, a ranger with the Arizona Department of Game and Fish. I love how she deftly handles herself, both in the field (guns included) and against the unwanted advances of her boss/ex-boyfriend, but also knows how to be gentle and feminine. I liked that in spite of her being raised by a father and brother who took her on their hunting trips, that she disdains the practice and instead is an animal lover who has dedicated herself to protecting all creatures. The only thing that would have made these two better for me would have been more exploration of their backstories. Even though they were pretty well-defined characters and there was enough information to build my liking for them, I tend to prefer getting inside the hero and heroine's heads a little more than I was allowed to here. There were also several doubts raised about their cultural backgrounds being incompatible, but that all seemed to magically disappear. Additionally, I felt that the paranormal and suspense elements overshadowed the romance a bit. I would have liked to see a few more romantic scenes, although I must say that the candlelight, “not-a-date” dinner that Kal cooked for Madison was particularly wonderful and probably my favorite scene in the entire novella. Overall, Coyote Gorgeous was a fast-paced, action-packed and enjoyable read. It was my first story by Vijaya Schartz, and has certainly left me open to trying some of her other works in the future.

    Book preview

    Coyote Gorgeous - Vijaya Schartz

    Coyote Gorgeous

    by Vijaya Schartz

    Smashwords Edition

    Copyright © 2010 Vijaya Schartz

    Cover Art by Kendra Egert

    ISBN: 978-1-4659-5221-9

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to a person or persons, living or dead, business establishments or events is purely coincidental.

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    Chapter One

    There’ve been three killings. Jake, the blond poster boy with clear blue eyes, winked at Madison as he swaggered into the fluorescent glow of the break room, in the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters. Just in time for morning coffee.

    Ranger Madison Huntley set up her Starbucks tray on a round table. She resented the way her boss still flirted with her after she’d dumped the womanizing jerk six months ago. She managed to keep her voice even. What kind of killings?

    Two dogs, one foal. Dashing as usual in his crisp tan uniform, Jake stared into her eyes as he handed her the assignment sheet. Better catch the culprit fast or there will be more victims.

    Madison snatched the paper, avoiding his roving fingers, and adjusted her side arm to sit more comfortably. She perused the document. Wild animal attack?

    Right in our little corner of paradise. Jake grabbed a cup from the cardboard tray and pulled off the lid, then sat next to her. Too close.

    Madison scooted her chair away from him and his overly sweet cologne and frowned. In North Phoenix?

    In Cave Creek, a few miles away. Such a sleepy little town, too. He inhaled the aroma from his cup with gusto. If we can’t keep the inhabitants safe from wildlife near our own headquarters, it will invite bad press for the department.

    Indeed. Madison scoffed. Heaven forbid. A scandal getting in the way of Jake’s great political ambitions?

    Attracted by the coffee, a gangly front desk clerk with doe eyes walked into the room and selected a latte. Thanks, Maddy.

    As she left, the young woman batted her lashes at Jake, who ignored her. Probably one of his past conquests.

    Rangers and game wardens in khaki uniforms broke their morning joke contest near a snack machine and approached the table to get coffee as well.

    A ranger on his way out to the terrace toward the tables beyond the glass wall raised his cup to Madison and gave a thumbs up. Thanks for bringing the good stuff, Maddy.

    Madison nodded and smiled but quickly returned her attention to Jake. We’ve had a resurgence of rabies lately. Could it be a rabid animal?

    I don’t think so. Jake leaned over and whispered in her ear like a lover. But I’d like to keep it quiet all the same.

    Madison cringed but ignored his advances. Good thing the room cleared quickly as the rangers left for the field. What happened to my transfer request?

    On my desk. Jake leaned back in his chair, sipping coffee. Still catching up with paperwork after a week in the hospital.

    Getting hit by lightning on your last field trip didn’t improve you any. She bit her lips to avoid getting into trouble again. It wouldn’t help her cause to antagonize her boss.

    Don’t worry your pretty little head. I’ll send the forms. Was he patronizing just to push her buttons?

    Madison refused to take the bait. When can I expect an opening?

    Not anytime soon. He grinned, happy about it, the rat.

    Why not? Madison struggled to keep her tone casual.

    In this economy, with all the cutbacks, people hang on to their jobs. He flashed a satisfied smile.

    Madison repressed a sigh of frustration, clenching her fist at her side. Reacting to his insufferable attitude would only make things worse. She didn’t want to file a sexual harassment complaint either. After all, she’d dated the jerk willingly. She could deal with Jake until that transfer arrived. Picking up the assignment sheet, she rose and said matter-of-factly, I’ll take care of whatever killed these animals.

    Discreetly? He stood up.

    Promised.

    As Madison headed for the door, Jake followed on her heels, walking along a wide hallway. From the wall, color posters of animals and drab mug shots of men wanted for wildlife crimes seemed to stare. The soles of her tan leather boots squeaked on the polished floor.

    I’m counting on you, Jake breathed on her neck.

    Madison quickened her pace to escape his proximity and couldn’t help the impatience in her voice. I get it, boss. I’ll handle it.

    To Madison’s relief, Jake ducked into his office.

    Finally rid of him, she emerged into the bright morning sun of the employee parking lot. The crisp desert breeze washed away the clinging smell of his cologne. But the cool morning air wouldn’t last. Spring in Phoenix meant three-digit temperatures and sticky asphalt.

    She strode through the rows of cars between the large office building and the labs then entered a fenced area to the side, where a fleet of white pickup trucks, perfectly lined up, displayed the round Game & Fish logo on their doors. Distant gunshots from marksmen at the Avery shooting range mingled with the sounds of morning traffic on the busy highway.

    Madison opened the door of her truck and stepped inside then checked her laptop and her bio kit. Angling the rearview mirror, she glanced at her blond bobbed hair streaked by the sun. Her natural tan didn’t need makeup. Satisfied with her looks, she slipped on her sunglasses, started the engine, readjusted the mirror, then drove off the lot through the open sliding gate and around the main building.

    She yielded to a faded, green Ford pickup, beat up and dull with age, turning left into the public parking lot. Madison recognized the driver’s strong profile and turquoise and silver necklace. The old Hopi chief, White Eagle. What was he doing here? Then she remembered that each spring he applied for a permit to capture protected golden eaglets for his tribe’s ritual sacrifices. What a barbaric custom.

    *****

    At the light, Madison turned east on Carefree Highway. Merging into morning traffic, she pulled down the sun visor against the bright glare. Ten minutes later, she turned into a pot-holed driveway that crunched under her tires and sent dust flying in her wake. She drove along a corral to the right, where a dozen well fed horses rested in a shaded area, while others nibbled at the scarce grass. On the left, a huge open barn revealed square bales of hay and various carts and carriages.

    At the end of the dirt road, Madison stopped her truck in the shade of a tall sycamore tree. In front of her spread an old adobe hacienda, large by any standard. She read the numbers on the mailbox shaped like a cowboy hat then double-checked the address on her assignment sheet. Reaching for her laptop on the passenger seat, she opened it and started a new report.

    When she cracked both windows against the quickly rising heat, she inhaled a whiff of hay and horse manure and sneezed. Blasted allergies. After grabbing her bio kit from

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